Children in Lohman family continue tradition

Terry and Karol Lohman have been a part of 4-H most of their lives. Terry was a member in Washington state, while Karol was a member of Glenwood 4-H in Basehor.

The tradition has now passed to their sons, Tyler, 14, and Trey,12, and to their niece Molly Thomas, 14.

The three are involved in various parts of 4-H, but livestock and animals have been their major projects.

Tyler and Trey, Friendship Valley (Lansing) 4-H members, have been in 4-H for seven and five years respectively.

Both have had success showing cattle and hogs, including crossbreed and chesterbreeding categories.

Trey said the hog showing was simply following in his father's footsteps.

"He helps us a ton," Trey said. "Dad showed pigs when he was in 4-H. We had to keep the family tradition going."

Tyler and Trey have also been busy with spring cattle shows. The two have been at shows in Garnett, Manhattan, Abilene, Newton and Leavenworth.

Molly, meanwhile, has been involved in rabbits and had a champion rabbit for three years. A change was necessary for her, and she started showing pigs.

"I was burned out," Molly said.

Her first year in hogs was strong having a first-place finish in hogs in last year's fair. Molly said it was a lucky draw.

"It was interesting because it was the only pig left for sale," Molly said.

Molly, who has been in 4-H for five years, is also involved in the Kansas River Youth Leadership group. It involves 35 4-H members from Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Douglas and Jefferson counties. The group, which recently pulled up flood-damaged carpet in Easton, also tours different areas. It members will be going to Argentine in Kansas City, Kan.

Molly is secretary of the Greenwood 4-H, but plans to attend school in Tonganoxie this year after being in the Basehor district.

Tyler is vice president and Trey secretary in the Friendship Valley 4-H. Both plan to be involved with FFA when they attend Tonganoxie High School. All three youths are also involved in photography along various other projects. Trey said he enjoyed photography as much as he did livestock.

Karol, though, differentiated between the two.

"Livestock is a lot more work," she said.

Tyler hopes to show dogs in the future, including the family's Australian Shepherd. A new horse named Jake could be an upcoming project as well.

Overall, although things become hectic for the family in 4-H, it also brings them together.